UNIVERSITY TECHNOLOGY ADVISORY COMMITTEE
MEETING OF NOVEMBER 20, 2006
MINUTES
PRESENT
Members: Phyllis Wise (Chair), John Coulter, Mike Eisenberg, Jim Fine, Ross
Heath, Weldon Ihrig, Ron Johnson, Ed Lazowska, Mary Lidstrom, Arthur Nowell,
Steve Olswang, Gary Quarfoth
Others: Sheryl Burgstahler, Elizabeth Campbell, Terry Gray, Ira Kalet, Scott
Mah, Pam Moore
Absent: Louis Fox, Ron Irving, Patricia Spakes
1. CALL TO ORDER
Phyllis called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m.
2. UNIVERSITY WIRELESS INITIATIVE DEPLOYMENT UPDATE
Scott Mah distributed updated information on the University Wireless Initiative (UWI).
To date, approximately four million assignable square feet is wireless. That equates to
over 350 departmental and general assignment classrooms totaling 14,600 seats. (See
attached.)
Approximately forty percent of the campus is wireless. Scott noted that the majority of
the most challenging (and older) buildings are wireless and it is expected that the
remaining buildings will not be as expensive to deploy.
Next Steps
The Board of Regents and the Board of Deans will be updated on the UWI in the near
future.
3. UNIVERSITY WIRELESS INITIATIVE FUNDING
Gary Quarfoth and Scott Mah reviewed the design and deployment cost drivers for the
UWI. (See attached.)
Scott reported that current funding will take the initiative until the end of this fiscal
year. The next steps for the initiative include refining the impact of the costs drivers
and overall budget forecast, developing and recommending scoping options, review
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funding options with Planning and Budgeting, and review the options with
stakeholders.
4. HOSPITAL SECURITY UPDATE
Ira Kalet, Security Director for UW Medicine Information Technology Services, gave
an update on a computing security incident that was discovered in late 2005 and the
subsequent security measures taken as a result of the incident.
One of the measures was the creation of a policy that requires updating passwords
every six months. Users are directed to a portal where passwords can be changed. A
second measure is the review of logs for each major clinical application. Staff
reviewing the logs are looking for a number of possible activities that may indicate a
security breach.
Ira noted that with Computing & Communications’ assistance, UW Medicine ITS is in
the process of preparing a computing security plan.
Committee Discussion
The committee discussed the behavioral aspects of computing security. Ira noted that
an aggressive awareness campaign is underway to educate users about their personal
responsibilities.
Ed Lazowska noted that changing one’s password is not the most effective way to
secure personal computers.
Ron stated that it might be time to set standards for personal desktops and laptops that
can be purchased. He also raised the question about whether fingerprinting and/or dual
factoring should be implemented.
Next Steps
Once finalized, Ira offered to bring Medicine’s computing security plan back to the
committee for their information.
5. DO-IT PROGRAM
Sheryl Burgstahler, Director for Disabilities, Opportunities, Internetworking and
Technology (DO-IT) gave an overview of the program. (See attached.)
DO-IT’s goal is to increase the success of people with disabilities in postsecondary
education and careers, using technology as an empowering tool. DO-IT also provides
valuable campus-wide strategies on accessibility design for the World Wide Web.
The meeting adjourned at 10:00 a.m.
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